Amalaya, Malbec, Salta 2022, 0,75 l
Brilliant ruby color with violet edges. Strawberries, raspberries and ripe fruit with touch of pepper and spices aromas. In mouth, flavors of red fruit, spice and hints of vanilla from aging in French oak. Round, soft tannins lead to a delicate, lingering finish.
The grapes come from seven-year-old vines that yielded 9,000 kilos per hectare, 100% from estate grapes. The grapes fermented with neutral yeasts after a four-day cold soak with a total maceration of some 20 days. 25% of the volume matured in used French oak barrels for ten months, while the rest was kept in stainless steel with fine lees. There is a smoky character that I believe comes from the skin of the grapes, which have a high impact from the sun—as with the higher altitude, the rays are much stronger and make grapes develop thicker skins. It made me think of a red from the Northern Rhône, mixing violets, bacon fat and great spiciness. They have replaced Cabernet by Tannat, and I think it has helped remove the herbal aromas and given more character to the blend. The palate is medium-bodied with great freshness and intensity, terribly tasty.